Changes In Urinary Albumin Excretion Research Articles

URINARY ALBUMIN EXCRETION CHANGES AFTER ADRENALECTOMY IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY ALDOSTERONISM

Objective: We aimed to evaluate changes in urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) after adrenalectomy compared with those who remained with non-surgical treatment. Design and method: We evaluated 28 patients with PA diagnosed by adrenal venous sampling (AVS), attended by hypertension specialists or endocrinologists in Hospital del Mar, Barcelona. Office blood pressure (BP), body weight and laboratory parameters (estimated glomerular filtration rate by CKD-EPI equation (eGFR), plasma potassium (K) and UAE) were analyzed before and at 6 months after adrenalectomy (Adx group) or before and 6 months after AVS (non-Adx group). Results: Most patients (66.7%) were male and the mean age was 55.8 ± 9.6 years. Twelve patients (42.8%) underwent adrenalectomy and 16 (57.1%) remained on pharmacological treatment alone. Spironolactone was the principal antihypertensive treatment in the non-Adx group (84.6% of patients). The proportion of diabetes mellitus was similar in both groups (12.5% in Adx group vs 16.2% in non-Adx group, p = 0.6). The decrease in BP was statistically significant in both groups (table 1). Adx group patients showed a statistically significant reduction in the UAE (-7.7 [-33.2 to -4.0] mg/g, p = 0.002) compared to patients in non-Adx group (+0.1 [-6.5 to + 24.9], p = 0.8). After six months, the mean reduction in UAE (log-transformed) was significantly superior in the Adx group than in the non-Adx group. After adjusting by variation of systolic-BP and variation of body weight, a mean difference between the two groups of -0.966 mmHg (95% CI -1.746 to -1.182); p = 0.018 was observed. Conclusions: Patients with PA who underwent adrenalectomy presented a higher reduction in UAE than patients who remained on pharmacological treatment alone.

Sex Differences in Glomerular Protein Expression and Effects of Soy-Based Diet on Podocyte Signaling.

Background:Kidney disease is a major public health issue arising from loss of glomerular podocyte function, and there are considerable sex differences in its prognosis. Evidence suggests a renoprotective effect of estrogen and soy diet-derived phytoestrogens, although the molecular basis for this is poorly understood.Objective:Here, we aim to assess sex differences in expression of key proteins associated with podocyte survival and determine the effects of dietary soy on glomerular and podocyte signaling.Methods:Male and female FVB mice were fed control, low (1%), and high (20%) doses of isolated soy protein (ISP) in utero and until 100 days of age. Spot urine was collected to measure proteinuria and isolated glomeruli were used to quantify activated and total levels of nephrin, Akt, and ERK1/2. To investigate protective effects of specific soy phytoestrogens, cultured podocytes were treated with or without daidzein and subject to control or high glucose as a model of podocyte injury.Results:Nephrin and Akt were elevated at baseline in glomeruli from females compared to males. Both sexes that were fed 1% and 20% ISP displayed robust increases in total glomerular Akt compared to controls, and these effects were more prominent in females. A similar trend at both doses in both sexes was observed with activated Akt and total nephrin. Notably, males exclusively showed increased phosphorylation of nephrin and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) at the 1% ISP dose; however, no overt changes in urinary albumin excretion or podocin levels were observed, suggesting that the soy diets did not impair podocyte function. Finally, in cultured male and female podocytes, daidzein treatment suppressed high glucose-induced ERK activation.Conclusions:Together, our findings reveal a putative mechanism to explain the protective influence of sex on kidney disease progression, and they provide further evidence to support a beneficial role for dietary soy in preserving glomerular function.

Liver Stiffness Is Associated With Progression of Albuminuria in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Nonalcoholic Fatty Disease Cohort Study

ObjectivesPrevious studies have shown the association between liver fibrosis and albuminuria. However, the effect of liver fibrosis on change in albuminuria is unclear. Thus, we investigated the effect of liver fibrosis on change in albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes. MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we assessed 105 patients with type 2 diabetes concomitant with nonalcoholic fatty disease. A change in urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was defined as follows: change in UAE=(logarithm [UAE+1] at follow-up examination minus logarithm [UAE+1] at baseline examination) / follow-up duration (1 year in this study). Elastography was performed to assess controlled attenuation parameter (dB/m) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM; kPa) values. ResultsMean (standard deviation) data were as follows: age, 63.3 (12.1) years; body mass index, 25.4 (4.3) kg/m2; controlled attenuation parameter, 273.1 (53.0) dB/m; and LSM, 6.2 (3.4) kPa. Median UAE value (interquartile range) was 16 (6 to 43) mg/g creatinine. LSM was associated with changes in UAE (r=0.27, p=0.005). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that LSM was associated with change in UAE (β=0.28, p=0.015) after adjusting for sex, age, duration of diabetes, smoking status, exercise habits, glycated hemoglobin, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, systolic blood pressure, logarithm (UAE+1) at baseline examination, use of renin‒angiotensin system inhibitors, new use of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 and controlled attenuation parameter. ConclusionsLiver stiffness is an independent risk factor for the progression of albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes.

113-LB: Effects of Liraglutide and Empagliflozin Add-On to Insulin Therapy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: ELLENA-IT, a Randomized Controlled Study

Liraglutide (Lira) and empagliflozin (Empa) have been reported to suppress cardiovascular events in large-scale clinical trials. However, reports of their long-term combined use with insulin therapy or direct comparisons of both drugs are limited. This open-label, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of Lira and Empa used in combination with insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Adult outpatients with T2D undergoing stable insulin therapy with HbA1c level of 7.0%-9.5% were eligible for participation. Subjects received 0.9 mg/day Lira or 10 mg/day Empa for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in HbA1c levels from baseline to week 24. Body composition was assessed using the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry method (UMIN-CTR 000027614). Overall, 66 insulin-treated patients with T2D were randomized to receive Lira or Empa; 57 patients completed 24 weeks of weekly administration of Lira (n = 29) or Empa (n = 28). HbA1c and glycated albumin (GA) levels were lower in the Lira group than in the Empa group (HbA1c, Lira, −1.23 ± 0.85% vs. Empa, −0.32 ± 0.68%, p < 0.001; GA, Lira, −4.3 ± 3.1% vs. Empa, −2.2 ± 2.9%, p = 0.01). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of change in body weight (∆BW: Lira, −1.4 ± 1.9 kg vs. Empa, −1.4 ± 1.9 kg, p = 0.97) or in body fat mass/lean tissue mass. There was no difference between the groups in terms of change in urinary albumin excretion [∆UAE (median, IQR): Lira, −6.2 (−63.5, −10.1) mg/g-creatinine vs. Empa, −20.4 (−69.7, −2.0) mg/g-creatinine, p = 0.28]. There was no significant difference in the frequency of hypoglycemia between the groups over 24 weeks (p = 0.46). In conclusion, the addition of Lira to ongoing insulin therapy significantly reduced HbA1c and GA levels to a larger extent than the addition of Empa in patients with inadequately controlled T2D. Disclosure H. Nakaguchi: None. Y. Kondo: None. Y. Terauchi: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi. Research Support; Self; Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novo Nordisk A/S, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sanofi, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Astellas Pharma Inc., AstraZeneca, Bayer Yakuhin, Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novo Nordisk A/S, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Sanofi, Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.

Urinary prorenin/renin and soluble prorenin receptor excretion in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

BackgroundActivation of the intra‐renal, rather than systemic, renin angiotensin system (RAS) has been suggested to play a role in the development of diabetic kidney disease. In this study, we examined plasma and urinary prorenin/renin levels and urinary soluble prorenin receptor (sPRR) levels in mice with early Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.MethodsMale Akita (Type 1 model bearing a mutated Ins2 gene) and db/db (Type 2 model bearing a mutated LepR gene) mice were studied from 10–18 weeks age and metabolic balance studies conducted at 4 week intervals on a normal salt diet.ResultsDiabetic mice were hyperglycemic (Akita: 479 ± 31, db/db: 314 ± 60, control: 152 ± 12 mg/dL), polyuric (Akita: 22.2 ± 3.9, db/db: 10.9 ± 2.3, controls 1.6 ± 0.1 ml/day) and polydipsic (Akita: 24.6 ± 3.4, db/db: 11.5 ± 2.4, controls: 4.2 ± 0.5 ml/day) at 10 weeks which continued until 18 weeks. Compared to controls, Akita mice had lower body weight (23.4 ± 0.6 vs controls: 29.2 ± 0.3 grams) while db/db mice had higher body weight (51.9 ± 0.3 g/day) at 10 weeks which continued until 18 weeks. Compared to controls, urinary angiotensinogen and total prorenin/renin levels were increased in Akita mice at 10 weeks and remained elevated at 14 and 18 weeks of age (Table 1); these increases were proportionally greater than changes in urinary albumin excretion. Urinary sPRR excretion was markedly increased in Akita mice at 14 and 18 weeks. In contrast, db/db mice had higher urinary albumin excretion, urinary angiotensinogen and urinary prorenin/renin excretion relative to controls at all 3 time points but undetectable urinary sPRR excretion until 18 weeks. Plasma renin concentration was similar between the controls and diabetic mice at all time points. There was mild glomerular hypertrophy at 18 weeks of age in db/db but not Akita mice.ConclusionThere is early activation of the intra‐renal but not systemic RAS in Type 1 and 2 diabetes. However, the pattern of intra‐renal RAS component activation appears to differ between Type 1 and 2 diabetes.Support or Funding InformationUniversity of Utah Internal Medicine Academic Excellence Seed GrantThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Dietary Protein Intake Is Not Associated with Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients without Macroalbuminuria

Background/Aims: Diabetic nephropathy is an important problem in patients with diabetes. However, little is known about the effect of dietary protein intake on albuminuria in patients with diabetes. Thus, the aim of this study was to clarify the association between dietary protein intake and change in urinary albumin excretion (UAE) or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we included 143 patients (71 men, average 64.0 (10.5) years, and median 14.5 (6.7-38.5) mg/gCr) without macroalbuminuria (UAE over 300 mg/gCr). Change in UAE or eGFR was defined as increase of UAE or GFR/follow-up duration (year). Habitual protein intake was estimated by a self-administered diet history questionnaire. Results: Median follow-up duration was 5 years. Logistic regression analyses showed that baseline UAE was associated with change in UAE (β = 0.217, p = 0.012), but the protein intake was not (β = -0.064, p = 0.454) (Table). In addition, baseline Cr was associated with change in eGFR (β = 0.344, p = 0.001), but the protein intake was not (β = 0.001, p = 0.988). Conclusions: Dietary protein intake was not associated with change in UAE or eGFR. This result suggests that protein restriction is not necessary in patients without macroalbuminuria. Multiple regression analysis on δUAE or δeGFRδUAEstandardized regression coefficientp valueδeGFRstandardized regression coefficientp valueLog (UAE+1)0.2170.012Log (UAE+1)0.0490.560Protein intake (g/kg/day)-0.0640.454Protein intake (g/kg/day)-0.0330.698Usage of RAS inhibitor0.1140.193Usage of RAS inhibitor-0.2020.021Creatinine0.0470.646Creatinine0.398<0.001Age-0.0030.977Age0.0610.490BMI0.1190.184BMI-0.0420.634Men-0.1430.163Men0.1210.237 Disclosure A. Kaji: None. Y. Hashimoto: Research Support; Self; Asahi Kasei Corporation, Fuji Foundation for Protein Research, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, MSD K.K.. R. Sakai: None. T. Okamura: None. M. Yamazaki: None. M. Fukui: Research Support; Self; Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C), Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., AstraZeneca, Astellas Pharma US, Inc., Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited, Eli Lilly and Company, Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd., Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., MSD K.K., Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Arteriolar Hyalinosis Predicts Increase in Albuminuria and GFR Decline in Normo- and Microalbuminuric Japanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

This study investigated the association between renal histology, as assessed by morphometric analysis using light (LM) and electron (EM) microscopy, and changes in urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in Japanese people with type 2 diabetes in the early stages of diabetic nephropathy. We performed percutaneous renal biopsies in 29 patients with type 2 diabetes (22 men, mean ± SD age 49 ± 10 years and GFR 119 ± 27 mL/min/1.73 m2, with 15 normoalbuminuric [UAE <20 μg/min] and 14 microalbuminuric [UAE 20-200 μg/min]) to clarify which histological factors were associated with changes in UAE and GFR during 8.0 ± 3.5 years' follow-up. Glomerular structural changes including mesangial volume fraction [Vv(Mes/glom)] were estimated using EM, whereas the index of arteriolar hyalinosis (IAH) score was assessed by LM. Patients underwent annual measurement of GFR using iohexol injection with simultaneous urine collections for UAE. Vv(Mes/glom) was negatively correlated with baseline and follow-up GFR but not with UAE. The IAH score was positively correlated with UAE and negatively correlated with GFR at follow-up, but it was not correlated with either UAE or GFR at baseline. GFR at follow-up was significantly decreased from baseline in patients with IAH scores ≥2.0 and significantly lower than in patients with IAH scores <2.0. Patients with IAH scores <2.0 showed no significant change in GFR during follow-up. Arteriolar hyalinosis is an additional histological predictor for albuminuria increase and GFR decline in normo- and microalbuminuric Japanese people with type 2 diabetes.

Cost-effectiveness of screening type 2 diabetes patients for chronic kidney disease progression with the CKD273 urinary peptide classifier as compared to urinary albumin excretion.

In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression may occur without detectable changes in urinary albumin excretion (UAE) rate. A new urinary peptide classifier (CKD273) has exhibited greater ability to detect CKD progression, however, its cost-effectiveness remains unknown. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of screening for CKD progression with the CKD273 classifier, as compared to UAE, in diabetic patients. A decision-analytic Markov model was developed to estimate costs and health outcomes [including overall survival and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)] from a health system perspective for adopting a new annual screening strategy based on the CKD273 classifier as compared to annual UAE-based screening in a hypothetical cohort of T2DM patients. High-risk patients were defined as T2DM patients with at least one concomitant risk factor (i.e. patients with background genetic risk for developing the disease, obesity, hypertension and/or smoking history) for developing diabetic nephropathy secondary to cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related complications. Low-risk T2DM patients, were defined as those not having any of the aforementioned concomitant risk factors. Over the projected course of a patient's lifetime, in all T2DM patients annual screening with the CKD273 classifier was more costly, but also more effective, than annual screening with UAE. The incremental costs incurred with screening based on the CKD273 classifier were €3,053 per patient, while patients gained 0.13 QALYs. Hence, in all patients, annual screening with the CKD273 classifier was cost effective [incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) €23,903/QALY gained], notably below current government thresholds for funding such health care interventions. For patients at high risk of developing diabetic nephropathy secondary to CVD-related complications, screening based on the CKD273 classifier was cost-saving (i.e. dominant, being both more effective and less expensive than UAE-based screening). Finally, in low-risk patients, CKD273 classifier-based screening was not cost effective (ICER €73,140/QALY) given current government willingness-to-pay thresholds. In diabetic patients, annual CKD273 classifier-based screening is more costly but also more effective in QALYs gained as compared to UAE. From a health provider perspective, the observed benefits are greatest when such screening is implemented in patients at high risk for diabetes-associated renal or cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Angiotensin type-2 (AT-2)-receptor activation reduces renal fibrosis in cyclosporine nephropathy: evidence for blood pressure independent effect.

Compound 21 (C21), selective agonist of angiotensin type-2 (AT-2) receptors, shows anti-inflammatory effects in experimental models of hypertension and nephroprotection in diabetes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of C21 in cyclosporine nephropathy, which is characterized mainly by tubulo-interstitial fibrosis. Ten days before and during the experimental periods, low-salt diet was administered to Sprague–Dawley rats. Cyclosporine-A (CsA; 15 mg/kg per day, intraperitoneal injection) and CsA plus C21 (0.3 mg/kg per day, intraperitoneal injection) were administered for 1 and 4 weeks. Control groups were left without any treatment. Blood pressure (plethysmographic method) and 24 h urinary albumin excretion were measured once a week. At the end of the experimental protocols, the kidneys were excised for histomorphometric analysis of renal fibrosis and for immunohistochemical evaluation of inflammatory infiltrates and type I and type IV collagen expression. After 1 and 4 weeks, the rats treated with CsA showed a significant increase (P<0.01) in blood pressure, no significant changes in urinary albumin excretion and a significant increase (P<0.01) in glomerular and tubulo-interstitial fibrosis and inflammatory infiltrates as compared with the control rats. Treatment with C21 did not modify the CsA dependent increase of blood pressure, which was higher than in control rats, but after 4 weeks of treatment significantly reduced (P<0.01) glomerular and tubulo-interstitial fibrosis, type 1 collagen expression and macrophage infiltration, as compared with rats treated with cyclosporine. The administration of C21 showed a protective effect on cyclosporine nephropathy, decreasing renal fibrosis and macrophage infiltration. These data suggest that C21 may counteract tubulo-interstitial fibrosis, the most potent predictor of the progression of renal diseases.

Effects of atorvastatin on renal function in patients with dyslipidemia and chronic kidney disease: assessment of clinical usefulness in CKD patients with atorvastatin (ASUCA) trial

BackgroundDyslipidemia is a risk factor for the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). While conventional lipid lowering therapy provides a benefit to CKD management, the effect of statins on eGFR remains unclear.MethodsA prospective, multi-center, open-labeled, randomized trial. Total of 349 CKD patients with hyperlipidemia were randomized into 2 groups, and followed for 2 years. Group A included patients who were treated with atorvastatin. Group C were treated with conventional lipid lowering drugs other than statin. Primary endpoint was changes in eGFR. Secondary endpoints included changes in urinary albumin excretion, serum LDL-C, serum triglyceride, cardio-vascular events and all-cause mortality.ResultsAs the primary endpoint, eGFR decreased by 2.3 ml/min/1.73 m2 in Group A and by 2.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 in Group C, indicating that there was no difference in change of eGFR between the two groups. As secondary endpoints, atorvastatin succeeded to reduce serum LDL-C level significantly and rapidly, but conventional therapy did not. In fact, mean LDL-C level did not reach the target level of 100 mg/dl in Group C. Serum triglyceride was lowered only by atorvastatin, but not conventional drugs. The number of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality did not differ between in two groups.ConclusionThe ASUCA (Assessment of Clinical Usefulness in CKD Patients with Atorvastatin) trial demonstrated that atorvastatin failed to exhibit reno-protections compared to conventional therapy in Japanese patients with dyslipidemia and CKD. It would be due in part to the ability of atorvastatin to more potently reduce serum LDL and triglycerides compared to conventional therapy.

Serum metabolites predict response to angiotensin II receptor blockers in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BackgroundIndividual patients show a large variability in albuminuria response to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). Identifying novel biomarkers that predict ARB response may help tailor therapy. We aimed to discover and validate a serum metabolite classifier that predicts albuminuria response to ARBs in patients with diabetes mellitus and micro- or macroalbuminuria.MethodsLiquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics was performed on serum samples. Data from patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria (n = 49) treated with irbesartan 300 mg/day were used for discovery. LASSO and ridge regression were performed to develop the classifier. Improvement in albuminuria response prediction was assessed by calculating differences in R2 between a reference model of clinical parameters and a model with clinical parameters and the classifier. The classifier was externally validated in patients with type 1 diabetes and macroalbuminuria (n = 50) treated with losartan 100 mg/day. Molecular process analysis was performed to link metabolites to molecular mechanisms contributing to ARB response.ResultsIn discovery, median change in urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was −42 % [Q1–Q3: −69 to −8]. The classifier, consisting of 21 metabolites, was significantly associated with UAE response to irbesartan (p < 0.001) and improved prediction of UAE response on top of the clinical reference model (R2 increase from 0.10 to 0.70; p < 0.001). In external validation, median change in UAE was −43 % [Q1–Q35: −63 to −23]. The classifier improved prediction of UAE response to losartan (R2 increase from 0.20 to 0.59; p < 0.001). Specifically ADMA impacting eNOS activity appears to be a relevant factor in ARB response.ConclusionsA serum metabolite classifier was discovered and externally validated to significantly improve prediction of albuminuria response to ARBs in diabetes mellitus.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12967-016-0960-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mapping time-course mitochondrial adaptations in the kidney in experimental diabetes.

Oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) drives ATP production by mitochondria, which are dynamic organelles, constantly fusing and dividing to maintain kidney homoeostasis. In diabetic kidney disease (DKD), mitochondria appear dysfunctional, but the temporal development of diabetes-induced adaptations in mitochondrial structure and bioenergetics have not been previously documented. In the present study, we map the changes in mitochondrial dynamics and function in rat kidney mitochondria at 4, 8, 16 and 32 weeks of diabetes. Our data reveal that changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics precede the development of albuminuria and renal histological changes. Specifically, in early diabetes (4 weeks), a decrease in ATP content and mitochondrial fragmentation within proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) of diabetic kidneys were clearly apparent, but no changes in urinary albumin excretion or glomerular morphology were evident at this time. By 8 weeks of diabetes, there was increased capacity for mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) by pore opening, which persisted over time and correlated with mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation and glomerular damage. Late in diabetes, by week 16, tubular damage was evident with increased urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) excretion, where an increase in the Complex I-linked oxygen consumption rate (OCR), in the context of a decrease in kidney ATP, indicated mitochondrial uncoupling. Taken together, these data show that changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics may precede the development of the renal lesion in diabetes, and this supports the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction is a primary cause of DKD.

Paricalcitol modulates ACE2 shedding and renal ADAM17 in NOD mice beyond proteinuria

Circulating and renal activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is increased in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Because paricalcitol has been reported to protect against diabetic nephropathy, we investigated the role of paricalcitol in modulating ACE2 in these mice. In addition, renal ADAM17, a metalloprotease implied in ACE2 shedding, was assessed. NOD female and non-diabetic control mice were studied for 21 days after diabetes onset and divided into various treatment groups. Diabetic animals received either vehicle; 0.4 or 0.8 μg/kg paricalcitol, aliskiren, or a combination of paricalcitol and aliskiren. We then studied the effect of paricalcitol on ACE2 expression in proximal tubular epithelial cells. Paricalcitol alone or in combination with aliskiren resulted in significantly reduced circulating ACE2 activity in NOD mice but there were no changes in urinary albumin excretion. Serum renin activity was significantly decreased in mice that received aliskiren but no effect was found when paricalcitol was used alone. Renal content of ADAM17 was significantly decreased in animals that received a high dose of paricalcitol. Renal and circulating oxidative stress (quantified by plasma H2O2 levels and immunolocalization of nitrotyrosine) were reduced in high-dose paricalcitol-treated mice compared with non-treated diabetic mice. In culture, paricalcitol incubation resulted in a significant increase in ACE2 expression compared with nontreated cells. In NOD mice with type 1 diabetes, paricalcitol modulates ACE2 activity, ADAM17, and oxidative stress renal content independently from the glycemic profile and urinary albumin excretion. In tubular cells, paricalcitol may modulate ACE2 by blocking its shedding. In the early stage of diabetic nephropathy, paricalcitol treatment counterbalances the effect of diabetes on circulating ACE2 activity. Our results suggest that additional use of paricalcitol may be beneficial in treating patients with diabetes under standard therapeutic strategies.

Effect of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Nephropathy on IgG Pharmacokinetics and Subcutaneous Bioavailability in the Rat.

The objective of this research was to assess the effects of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) on the pharmacokinetics of human IgG (hIgG), an antibody isotype, in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. Furthermore, the specific role of T2DM in the altered disposition of hIgG was evaluated by treating diabetic rats with pioglitazone, while the role of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was assessed using 5/6 nephrectomized Sprague Dawley rats. ZDF male (lean non-diabetic control and obese diabetic) and pioglitazone-treated ZDF rats were studied at ages 12-13weeks (only DM was present), and at ages 29-30weeks (progression to DN). All animals were dosed with 1mg/kg of hIgG intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SC). ZDF rats had significantly higher blood glucose concentrations and urinary albumin excretion compared to control rats. Significant increases in total clearance (2.5-fold) and renal clearance (100-fold) of hIgG were observed; however the major increase in total clearance was due to increased non-renal clearance. Greater changes in urinary albumin excretion and total and renal clearances of IgG (3.5-fold and 300-fold, respectively) were observed with progression to DN. SC bioavailability of hIgG in all animal groups was similar (>84%). With pioglitazone-treatment, diabetic animals remained euglycemic and treatment was able to reverse the clearance changes, although incompletely. In the CKD group, no difference in hIgG clearance was observed when compared with controls. In conclusion, the increased clearance of hIgG in ZDF diabetic animals, reversal by pioglitazone treatment and lack of effect of CKD, demonstrate the influence of T2DM on hIgG pharmacokinetics.

Prognostic value of microalbuminuria during antihypertensive treatment in essential hypertension.

Whether changes over time of urinary albumin excretion have prognostic value is a matter of discussion. The objective was to assess the prognostic value of changes in urinary albumin excretion over time in cardiovascular risk during antihypertensive treatment. Follow-up study of 2835 hypertensives in the absence of previous cardiovascular disease (mean age 55 years, 47% men, BP 138/80 mm Hg, 19.1% diabetics, and calibrated systemic coronary risk estimation 5 or >10.6%). Usual-care of antihypertensive treatment was implemented to maintain blood pressure<140/90 mm Hg. Urinary albumin excretion was assessed yearly, and the values were expressed as the creatinine ratio. Incidence of cardiovascular events, fatal and nonfatal, was recorded during the follow-up. During a median follow-up of 4.7 years (17 028 patients-year), 294 fatal and first nonfatal cardiovascular events were recorded (1.73 CVD per 100 patients/year). Independently of blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, level of cardiovascular risk, and antihypertensive treatment, microalbuminuria at baseline and at any time during the follow-up resulted in higher risk for events, hazard ratio (HR) 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-1.79) and HR 1.49 (95% CI, 1.14-1.94), respectively. Likewise, development of microalbuminuria (HR 1.60; 95% CI, 1.04-2.46) or persistence from the beginning (1.53; 95% CI, 1.13-2.06) had a significantly higher rate of events than if remained normoalbuminuric (HR 1) or regress to normoalbuminuria (HR 1.37; 95% CI, 0.92-2.06) with an 18%, 18%, 8%, and 11% events, respectively, P<0.001. The study supports the value of urinary albumin excretion assessment as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular risk, but also opens the way to consider it as an intermediate objective in hypertension.

Effect of pentoxifylline on renal function and urinary albumin excretion in patients with diabetic kidney disease: the PREDIAN trial.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of ESRD. We conducted an open-label, prospective, randomized trial to determine whether pentoxifylline (PTF), which reduces albuminuria, in addition to renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade, can slow progression of renal disease in patients with type 2 diabetes and stages 3-4 CKD. Participants were assigned to receive PTF (1200 mg/d) (n=82) or to a control group (n=87) for 2 years. All patients received similar doses of RAS inhibitors. At study end, eGFR had decreased by a mean±SEM of 2.1±0.4 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in the PTF group compared with 6.5±0.4 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) in the control group, with a between-group difference of 4.3 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 3.1 to 5.5 ml/min per 1.73 m(2); P<0.001) in favor of PTF. The proportion of patients with a rate of eGFR decline greater than the median rate of decline (0.16 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) per month) was lower in the PTF group than in the control group (33.3% versus 68.2%; P<0.001). Percentage change in urinary albumin excretion was 5.7% (95% CI, -0.3% to 11.1%) in the control group and -14.9% (95% CI, -20.4% to -9.4%) in the PTF group (P=0.001). Urine TNF-α decreased from a median 16 ng/g (interquartile range, 11-20.1 ng/g) to 14.3 ng/g (interquartile range, 9.2-18.4 ng/g) in the PTF group (P<0.01), with no changes in the control group. In this population, addition of PTF to RAS inhibitors resulted in a smaller decrease in eGFR and a greater reduction of residual albuminuria.

Effects of Stress Reduction on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Early Kidney Disease – Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial (HEIDIS)

Current guidelines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes focus on pharmacological treatment of glucose and cardio-vascular risk factors. The aim of this prospective randomized controlled intervention study was to examine the effects of a psychosocial intervention on clinical endpoints and risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes and early diabetic kidney disease.110 patients were randomized to receive an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) training (n = 53) compared to standard care (n = 57). The study was carried out open-labelled and randomization was performed computer-generated in a 1:1 ratio. Primary outcome of the study was the change in urinary albumin excretion (albumin-creatinine-ratio, ACR); secondary outcomes were metabolic parameters, intima media thickness (IMT), psychosocial parameters and cardiovascular events.89 patients (42 in control group and 47 in intervention group) were analysed after 3 years of follow-up. After 1 year, the intervention group showed a reduction of ACR from 44 [16/80] to 39 [20/71] mg/g, while controls increased from 47 [16/120] to 59 [19/128] mg/g (p = 0.05). Parallel to the reduction of stress levels after 1 year, the intervention-group additionally showed reduced catecholamine levels (p < 0.05), improved 24 h-mean arterial (p < 0.05) and maximum systolic blood pressure (p < 0.01), as well as a reduction in IMT (p < 0.01). However, these effects were lost after 2 and 3 years of follow-up.This is the first study to show that a psychosocial intervention improves cardiovascular risk factors in high risk type 2 diabetes patients. Trial-Registration: NCT00263419 http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00263419 TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov-Identifier: NCT00263419.

Sitagliptin improves albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of sitagliptin on microalbuminuria in patients with type2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 85 patients with type2 diabetes mellitus (age >20years, <80years, hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] <8.4%) were randomized to patients taking sitagliptin 50mg or other oral glucose-lowering agents. The following parameters were evaluated at 0, 3 and 6months after the treatment: bodyweight, blood pressure, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, estimated glomerular filtration rate and urinary albumin excretion. The primary outcome was changes in urinary albumin excretion at 6months. Significant and comparable falls in HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose were found in both groups. However, sitagliptin significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion within 6months, especially in patients with high urinary albumin at baseline. A total of 27 patients with normoalbuminuria showed a reduction in urinary albumin excretion, suggesting that sitagliptin prevents the development of albuminuria. A total of 15 patients with albuminuria showed a reduction in urinary albumin excretion, suggesting the beneficial effect of sitagliptin in the early stage of diabetic nephropathy. There was a significant correlation between improvement of proteinuria and that of diastolic blood pressure. The results suggested that sitagliptin improved albuminuria, in addition to improving glucose. The mechanism of the reduction of albuminuria by sitagliptin could be a direct effect, as well as an increase in active glucagon-like peptide-1, independently affecting blood pressure, bodyweight and glucose metabolism. This trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN no. #000010871).

A difference in systolic blood pressure between arms is a novel predictor of the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes

ObjectiveRecent studies have suggested that a difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) between arms is associated with both vascular disease and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between a difference in SBP between arms and change in urinary albumin excretion or development of albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes. MethodsWe measured SBP in 408 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes, and calculated a difference in SBP between arms. We performed follow-up study to assess change in urinary albumin excretion or development of albuminuria, mean interval of which was 4.6 ± 1.7 years. We then evaluated the relationship of a difference in SBP between arms to diabetic nephropathy using multiple regression analysis and multiple Cox regression model. ResultsMultiple regression analyses demonstrated that a difference in SBP between arms was independently associated with change in urinary albumin excretion (β = 0.1869, P = 0.0010). Adjusted Cox regression analyses demonstrated that a difference in SBP between arms was associated with an increased hazard of development of albuminuria; hazard ratio was 1.215 (95% confidence interval 1.077–1.376). Moreover, the risk of development of albuminuria was increased in patients with a difference in SBP of equal to or more than 10 mmHg between arms; hazard ratio was 4.168 (95% confidence interval 1.478–11.70). ConclusionA difference in SBP between arms could be a novel predictor of the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability Is a Novel Risk Factor for the Development and Progression of Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVERecent study has suggested that not only the presence of hypertension but also the variability in systolic blood pressure (SBP) are risk factors for vascular disease and organ damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between visit-to-visit variability in SBP and change in urinary albumin excretion (UAE) or development of albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSWe measured SBP in 354 consecutive patients at every visit during 1 year and calculated the coefficient of variation (CV) of SBP. We performed a follow-up study to assess change in UAE or development of albuminuria, the mean interval of which was 3.76 ± 0.71 years. Then, we evaluated relationships of variability of SBP to diabetic nephropathy using multiple regression analysis and multiple Cox regression model.RESULTSMultiple regression analysis demonstrated that CV of SBP was independently associated with change in UAE (β = 0.1758; P = 0.0108). Adjusted Cox regression analyses demonstrated that CV of SBP was associated with an increased hazard of development of albuminuria; hazard ratio was 1.143 (95% CI 1.008–1.302).CONCLUSIONSVisit-to-visit variability in SBP could be a novel risk factor for the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.